|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Pippin Cvg
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1995.00 | | Purchased At: | New (Marry Sales bac | | Strengths: | Light, responsive, like no other bike i have ever ridden! Great triipple butted shock absorbing fork, Ritchey logic tubes, light frame make a lively ride like no other bike i have ever ridden! (I have not ridden the 2010 Lightning yet though!) My favorite bike of all times. It handles and carves turns and bunny hops like no other bike ive ever ridden. | | Weaknesses: | Hmm, can hardly think of one. The it is a 1991 frame, and in 1992 or 1993 he did start to but an external but around the lower head tube for added durability of the headsets. BTW, never run a taper bearing headset in a light steel bike, the fork flex is engineered to work with a standard steel ball bearing headset, this is not a weakness, but a fact for bike set-up. | | Similar Products Used: |
Breezer Thunder, Twister, Specialized Stumpjumper, Fat Chance, Ibis, Salsa. | | Bike Setup: | Full Ritchey Pro-logic. Ive had the bike down to 22 pounds with Ritchey WCS parts but w/out hardly any TI parts, but did build light wheels. I ran a Soft Ride stem for a while, but have restored the bike to stock, so its about 23.7 pounds (and that is with SPD737's!.) I run 395 gram front and 405 gram rear wheels with wheel-smith 15/17 spokes, which are very reliable for my weight (175 lbs with gear.) The bike is like a feather, but springs to action like Lightning! Oh and it has a Hite-Rite, I love those for adjusting the seat for single track! | | Bottom Line: |
You will never be disappointed, 18 years old or not these bikes are a dream! Even in the rough stuff, this bike dices and slices like no other thanks to Breezes thoughtful design and the Ritchey Logic tube set(Except perhaps paralleled by Tom Ritchey's personal bikes, maybe.) Back by popular demand the new 2010 Breezers are now in production! And so far people i have talked to who have ridden them, the new alum and steel frames both retain the original effortless character and ride like the vintage steel bikes, of these iconic bikes, but have even managed to improve the stiffness, ride compliance and control over the original! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt G.
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Reasonably light weight, good frame geometry (for a 80mm fork). Attacks corners like nothing, and shines at climbing hills. Plus it looks awsome! | | Weaknesses: | The paint on this fame could use some work, it chips without much force being put into it. But, like most thinks, everything good has a price. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awsome frame! If you are planing on doing some cross-country recreation or racing this frame it for you!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike the bike guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Leesburg VA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | XC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | PedalShop@aol.com | | Strengths: | New design rules over the old Breezer: lighter tubing, cleaner welds, much better paint job, disc ready, "S" seatstay, built for 80mm of travel, Breezer drop-outs, it's a Breezer but way better than before. | | Weaknesses: | seatpost clamp is sorta old skool style | | Similar Products Used: | Dean Reynolds Jester (hardtail) | | Bike Setup: | mixed bag of Race Face, Chris King, SRAM, and Interloc products. | | Bottom Line: | OK.... so it's not officially a Breezer frame specially with the brand new INTERLOC painted on there but, word on the street is that Joe Breeze did indeed put his name into the final design features. For those of you who know who and what Breezer is all about, this is the bike to have. They took the old Breezer and spiced it up, big time. It's one of the best steel frames you can get your hands on. climbs great, tracks like you're on rails, down hill action is real smooth and for us older folks, long term in saddle is a breeze (no pun intended). STEEL IS REAL!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riley Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma Carlin | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The ride!!!!! The history behind the bike exceeds any other bike company. Beautiful paint job. All logos are painted on, not just decals. | | Weaknesses: | Everything winderful comes at some cost. No warranty and very fragile paint. Geometry doesn't work well with the new 100mm front suspension forks. | | Bike Setup: | very light singlespeed conversion. | | Bottom Line: | I've waited two years to write a review on my Breezer. The simple fact is that I love this bike. I want to give it a name, like an old man would give to a car, but that would cloud over the fact that this bike is a Breezer.
Everytime I ride this bike I feel like it can't get any better than this frame. It attacks hills and cuts through tight trails and singletack like a hot knife through butter. Last year I switched from a 80mm travel fork to a 100mm and the geometry went whack! The front end raised substantaily and I found myself sitting way in back of the pedals. Suprisingly, this made the steering very responsive but the climbing suffered until I compensated by riding it a bit different. With this modification included, the ride is still outstanding, but I feel like I need to pamper the frame with all the love and caution of an over-protective mother because if the frame breaks its over. No warranty! All that aside, I feel like I'm riding a piece of art and history, not just another bike. Every once and a while someone, who knows more about bikes than those whose whole world revolves around Trek and Gary Fisher, will stop at a trail head to admire my bike. They will often talk about how they once owned a steel bike or even a Breezer. I'll see their eyes light up as they talk about it. As with all good things, they soon come to an end. I will ride my Breezer until it becomes a wet noodle and then retire it to a casual street cruiser. Bottom line: This bike is what biking is all about. It's too bad future generations will not experience the ride of a Breezer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kathleen
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA,USA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the wiss | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | quality | | Strengths: | light, pretty, comfy | | Weaknesses: | flexy | | Similar Products Used: | steel trek 950 from 1993-1997 | | Bike Setup: | XTR | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this Breezer since 1997 and I am sad to be semi-retiring it - the frame is very fatigued, lots of lateral flex now. I am an average size female rider, the frame is a 17" - runs small. I wouldn't recommend it for freerides or huge riders, you'll break it, but I've squeezed alot out of this frame.
This bike gave me 5 good years of trail ridin and was probably the most lite and comfortable ride going, and sassy-looking too. And has survived multiple crashes. It eats up trail bumps and tracks very nicely but now noticeably bends side to side when I climb out of the saddle(but since most people don't ride their bikes as long as I do they may never see that come to pass). Oddly I am buying an IF to take over the role of the Breezer, which was originally purchased because I couldn't afford the IF... it all comes full circle.
I have to say that I knew in '97 that it was an over-seas job, Joe Breeze never tried to hide that, I talked to him at interbike about it in 1996. But for the money what do you expect? You just have to do your homework to know what you are getting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck Cypert
a Cross Country Rider
from North Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | L.B. Houston Nature Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Innovations (RIP) | | Strengths: | Light, agile, exclusive. A very competent machine. | | Weaknesses: | Not a suspension bike, for the most part. Mine has been a rigid since new in 1993. | | Similar Products Used: | Spec. RockHopper, Schwinn Cimarron, Klein Rascal, Ibis Ripley, Ibis SilkTi, Klein Adept Race | | Bike Setup: | XT derailleurs, LX shifters, Spec. pedals and crank | | Bottom Line: | This is a bike from the old school, the Mt. Tam school of long ago.
Not something most would care to own, too primitive, but I have raced it some and have loved it always. This thing was 22.25 pounds when new.
A true "breeze in the woods."
Thanx, Joe B. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$349.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Light, comfortable, beautiful | | Weaknesses: | The well-known paint-chip problem | | Similar Products Used: | Orange C-16R steel - also a very nice frame but flexier than the Breezer | | Bike Setup: | AMP F3 or SID SL, LX/XT mix, Kooka kranks | | Bottom Line: | I wish I'd bought two of these last year - one to ride and one to admire. Don't get me wrong, she's still a beauty but I know every one of the chips in the paint by heart (who can suggest a good touch-up paint that matches the high gloss black finish?).
Anyway this bike is a joy to ride - comfortable and fast on singletrack and incredibly light. I had some climbing problems when I used the SID SL fork with 80mm of travel; I felt like I was sitting on a downhill rig! I fixed this by changing to 63mm travel and those problems are gone. The alternative AMP fork is more in keeping with the retro look of the frame (but it's not quite as comfortable!). Quibbles about the fact that the frame was put together in Taiwan are irrelevant in my opinion - so are most quality frames these days.
This frame is a classic and it's a real pity that you can't buy one (or more!) anymore. I'm sorry to say that judging by the current craze for aluminium by the time I need a new frame I'll be forced to turn my back on steel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BH
a Cross Country Rider
from Burbank, CA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$349.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Many, read post | | Weaknesses: | Few, read post | | Similar Products Used: | Voodoo Bizango, Fisher HK2, a few other HTs and a couple of F/S bikes
| | Bike Setup: | Rigid Fork, XTR Ds, GS shifters, RF cranks, Ultegra 11-23, Dean Post, XT/517/City Slickers, XTR brakes, Altek levers, Ibis stem, flat bar, bar ends, TFI saddle, SRAM chain, X2 pedals | | Bottom Line: | OK, I have to admit, I was very disappointed with this frame when I first got it. Its one of the last ones built and I got a very good price on it but was expecting a U.S. made frame. Still, the build quality was very good and the black and white paint beautiful but not very durable. Luckily, black touch up paint is readily available. The worst part about this frame is that it has geometry not corrected for suspension forks. The handling with a 99 Z2 Atom wasn't so hot. With the jacked up front end the bike wouldn't climb. It's hard to believe 1.7" would makes as much of a difference as it did. The frame was light though (4.1 pounds, 19.5 inches) with small diameter tubes and very comfortable over bumps. I thought long and hard and decided to sell it; then I changed my mind and sold my aluminum road bike instead.
I decided to turn the Breezer into my road bike. I first bought an old geometry rigid fork and 1.5 inches of stem spacers. Then I changed out the 8 speed MTB gears to 9 speed with an Ultegra 11-23 cassette and RF 24/34/46 crank. I put on my Speedplay X2s and a set of City Slickers. I installed a longer stem, bar ends, titanium seat post and titanium railed saddle.
Now, I really love this bike. It is very comfortable and I ride it for hours with no back pain (I couldn't say that about the old aluminum road bike). I just can't say enough about the comfort level. I also have another steel hardtail built with 853 (Voodoo). The Breezer with the Ti post, and 1.5 slicks at 80 psi is more comfortable over bumps than the Voodoo with 2.1s at 55 psi, aluminum post, the same saddle and a suspension fork. It's that good.
The bike also feels very stable and I can ride it no-hands much easier than any of my other bikes. The handling is stable yet it will also turn on a dime now that I installed the correct length fork. Not quite as quick as the road bike but quicker than the Voodoo. I think the Breezer would make a great bike for riding tight single track except for the rigid fork. I can see where the Breezer reputation came from. It's nice to be able to ride this bike with the geometry with which it was intended even though I'm not riding it on the trails like it was intended. This bike has the oldest lineage of any mountain bike and it's unfortunate that Joe has decided not to upgrade the frame geometry to keep up with the times. If I ever have a custom frame built, I will use the Breezer geometry as the model and just have it corrected for whatever fork lengths are being used then.
I really love this bike and hope that I have it for a long time because it's perfect. Good luck Joe. We will all miss you and your bikes.
Value: For $349, its a steal
Rating: I'll be subjective and give it a 5 and overlook the fact that for some, time has stopped. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MajDomo
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Monica, CA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Lowe/Mountain Tavern | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR Marketplace | | Strengths: | Steel - can you say *plush*?
Not every Tom, Dick and Hairy's riding one
Paint job - just gorgeous!!!!
LIGHTWEIGHT (24lbs fully tricked out)
Clean welds, and those dropouts...to die for.
| | Weaknesses: | Paint Job - chips reeeal easy, keep it painted or watch the frame rust away
What the hell is D'Fusion tubing, anyway?
Better product support - I hear Breezer's out of business now...?
Made in Taiwan. Well, ya can't have everything.
| | Similar Products Used: | 1992 GT Tequesta. Never had a *single* problem with that ride but it must have weighed 30 lbs. | | Bike Setup: | Raceface crankset, XY seatpost
Flite saddle
TIME Pro MTB pedals (sweeeeeet!)
Full 8-spd XTR (except the front derailleur, which is XT)
Titec handlebar/Syncros stem
Nukeproof carbon fiber hubs
Judy XC
Sun rims, Bontrager Jones tires (front and rear)
Salsa skewers
| | Bottom Line: | I bought this ride last year from a guy who'd built it up himself, who'd loved the ride but had to sell it for personal reasons. I was looking to move up from my old GT (triple triangle - strong as all get-out but weighed a TON) to a newer, lighter ride for not a lot of cash. As far as I'm concerned, this is THE bike. Not too many companies making high-end steel rigs anymore, and that's a shame, since it's such a forgiving and relatively less expensive material.
I'd originally bought this thinking it was handmade in the US. Not true, according to a number of accounts. I think this is more psychological than anything else, but I'd rather have an American-made ride rather than one made in Taiwan. Another drawback is Breezer's apparent exit from the business - not that I could ever get away with a warranty claim, but it's something to think about should you run across a frame new.
It's a shame that there will be no more Breezers since these rides are absolutely beautiful. They're a very uncommon sight out here, and I've always gotten compliments on it's old-school looks. The welds are clean and tight, and it's got the ride to match. The Lightning's geometry is incredibly forgiving on the bumps (owing heavily to the steel construction, no doubt), but very lively and well-behaved in all situations. I've cleaned hills on this bike that I could have only dreamed about before. It climbs "like a cat with it's tail on fire" and does it all with style, class and soul. If you're looking for a step up to a mid- to high-end rig, don't mind taking the time to spec your own components and want to avoid looking like everyone else with a Trek/GT/Cannondale, look no further.
It's a shame that Joe Breeze is taking himself out of the business here. Taiwan construction aside, this is an amazing ride to rival Ibis or any other mid- to high-end frame. Get one if you can - it's already becoming even more of a rarity than before. 5 spontaneously combusting horse carcasses on both. Here's to you, Joe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Zoom
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Absolutely beautiful paint and finish (black and white, beautiful head badge, etc.). I just find myself staring at it 'cause it's so awesome. Very light, steel, no BB flex. Got it for $50 less than the sale price because they had a special (spend $400 or more, take off $50.) So I either got the frame for $299 instead of $349, or the King headset I bought with it for $49 instead of $99. Either way, I scored. | | Weaknesses: | Paint is beautiful but lasts about as long as a Van Halen's last singer did. My handlebar just spun to the side, bumped the frame, and I had my first noticeable stratches. It seems very thin. the only other potential weakness is NO WARRANTY, since Joe Breeze apparently didn't want to stay in the business any more. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou SX-r fork (black), mostly XT w/rear XTR, Avid A/R 5.0 brakes, Thomson stem and post, Terry Fly saddle, monkey lite carbon riser, lock-on grips, XT hubs w/Mustang rims, Ritchey Alpha/Omega tires. | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy it again, but I felt that Jenson should make it known that Breezers are no longer being produced and they are being sold without warranty BEFORE selling them to anyone. Seems very deceptive, in my opinion. I was very excited to receive the frame, counting the days, then I receive it with a tag that says "sold "as is"", etc. In addition, it came with zero information. No specs, no measurements for seatpost or anything else. Just a box, a frame, and a disclaimer note. Be warned.
I STILL LOVE IT, THOUGH! Gets lots of compliments. I've always been a sucker for anything a little different. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Racer
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$349.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Well designed and constructed. Excellent welding, the rear triangle looks as clean as fillet brazing. Great handling and a great ride. | | Weaknesses: | Poor marketing and distributorship. I called Merry Sales and asked for a dealership in the midwest and was told no one stocks Breezer but any dealer could order one for me. Yeah, sure. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein, Trek, Schwinn and Basso are in the basement now. | | Bike Setup: | Paid 349 for the frame, 100 for Avid brakes+levers, Cane Creek HS and Shimano BB, hit the parts bin from 30 years of cycling(Manitou forks, XT derailleurs, Scott bars,etc) and came up with a 22 pound bike for around 500 bucks. Less than what I paid for my Klein frame alone. Nothing superlight except for a Flite saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles better than my Klein and rides smoother, jumps easier, and feels faster. The Klein might be a fraction better riding off the saddle because it's more rigid. The Breezer is a more lively bike.
Breezer has had frames made in Taiwan at least since the early 90's. Tom Ritchey vouched for the skill of the best Taiwan welders in an article in Bicycle Guide about 10 years ago. The Breezer is as well made as my Italian Basso and better than my American made Trek 990.
Unfortunately, it looks like the bicycle industry is giving up on steel. You can't buy a Bontrager or a Fat Chance anymore and none of the big manufacturers makes a good steel frame. I kind of get the feeling that Breezer won't be around. Not with Merry Sales' help.
Anyway, this is a great all around bike. It will replace my Klein as my race bike and I'll keep a set of wheels with slicks around to use it as a fast city bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A. CA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$349.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | see below | | Weaknesses: | see below | | Similar Products Used: | Many steel and aluminum HT frames by Fisher, Canondale, Voodoo, Ibis, and Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | 19.5 frame, 99 Atom Bomb, 8 speed XT & XTR, RF crank, Bontrager Mustang rims | | Bottom Line: | I got duped into buying this frame thinking it was a great U.S. made frame at an incredible price. At least I only paid $349 from Jenson during their sale. I guess times are changing and even the small companies that began this sport are being forced to shift production over seas to compete in the market. Had I known that this was just another bike made in Taiwan, I may have reconsidered purchasing it though my ‘90 Fisher, my ‘99 Specialized, my ‘00 Voodoo and my girlfriend's ‘00 Gary Fisher were also made in Taiwan and these bikes have been OK. I guess I shouldn't complain for the price that I paid for it. Still, I feel sorry for the people who paid the list price of $799 for this frame when they could have had many a fine U.S. made frame for the same price.
It is a nicely made frame. Very clean welds. Offset machined head tube. Beautiful paint job. Classic design. Clear coated logos. Clean braze ons. Nice cable routing. Nice drop outs. Lots of rear tire clearance. Light weight.
I built mine up and it does ride similarly to my steel Voodoo. The top seat on the head tube had to be ground due to some slight pre-packaging damage. Also the BB threads are a little rough and make it difficult to thread the cups in straight. The paint is delicate and nicks easily too. But these are minor issues. I'm using a 70mm Marzocchi fork which raises the front end enough to slacked the seat and head angles almost 1 ½ degrees (to 71.5/70 unloaded). It doesn't seem to hurt the handling much as this bike rides like my Voodoo with 73/71 angles and the same fork. Mainly, I just hope the D'Fusion tubing (whatever that is) and the welds hold up to the abuse that I will throw at it. If it doesn't, I'll just shell out the cash for an Ibis, a Fat Chance or another Voodoo and swap all the parts.
As far as rating it, the price is about average for what I feel its worth. As far as its overall rating, I'll need to ride it more to see if it holds up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Panther
a
from Liberty Lake,WA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Eye candy looks. Light weight(see Rants by Keith Bontrager). | | Weaknesses: | Get this.. here is a frame that retails for $799. The frame is made from D'fusion Cr0-Mo. The rep at Merry Sales (US distributor) doesn't know what it is or where it comes from ('may be Tange, or from Hodaka, doesn't matter though, now we just use plain old CrO-Mo.') 5*'s for product hype. Joe Breeze should get a PhD in Marketing. Finally, the frame that I purchased from Jenson comes complete with a sheet attached to the chain-stay professing that because it was purchased on-sale or as a close-out, there is no manufacturer's warranty. Thank you for purchasing our product. Where's that RMA number? | | Similar Products Used: | '86 Stumpjumper, '96 Stumpjumper FS, | | Bike Setup: | Still in the box, with a cute tag from Merry Sales on it. | | Bottom Line: | Save your $ and by a frame made with name-brand steel, preferrably assembled in the US. The paint job on The Breezer is worth more than the steel and the R.O.C. labor that built it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim justen
a Weekend Warrior
from st. paul MN usa
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | transfer road rail/trucking corridor ;-) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great looks, wonderously light, good for a big rider like me. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe a little problem with paint scuff, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Various upper end Trek, Bontrager, GT | | Bike Setup: | Standard non-trick XT stuff. Judy. | | Bottom Line: | Just adding my 2 cents...this bike doesnt feel like a MTB.
It feels like a road bike. Mine is set up as a year round commute bike down some nasty nasty urban pothole trails and its responsive, smooth...I really cant say more than others already have...just wanted to chime in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kenny olson
a Cross Country Rider
from riverside,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | skyline-corona california | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | nice quality,rides xlnt,weight is good. | | Weaknesses: | chain stay paint not to durable,otherwise xlnt !! | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose dx 10.9 titanium | | Bike Setup: | sram 9.0 sl,xt hollow tech,lp bars,carbon post,sid race,crosssmax etc... | | Bottom Line: | steel is the next best thing to a quality ti frame,the breezer actually rides similar to the ti bike i most previously had although it actually is a whole lot lighter 22.5 lbs for a 19.5" frame,style points given for the old skool look !! jensonusa.com has the best price on these frames 749.00 retail for !! 449.00 !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, SC
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | anti-run-of-the-mill status
STEEL
Player paint-job
Light
resilient ride quality | | Weaknesses: | your kidding right? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock '88
" Stumpjumper Comp '91
" Stumpjumper Future Shock '94 | | Bike Setup: | Mavic 517 and Hadley Racing hubs w/DB spokes and alloy nipples, IRC Notos tires (1.95), Avid 1.9 brakes and 2.0 levers, Marzocchi Superfly Z2 (Blk/Slv), WTB Momentum headset, Profile Stiffy stem (blk), MRC titanium flat bar w/Topo barends, Gripshift Plasma shifters, Cateye computer, Caramba Double-Barrell alum cranks (blk) w/RaceFace Taperlock BB, Ritchey clipless pedals, Boone nickel-plated alum. rings, XT front and XTR rear derailleur, XTR 8-spd cassette w/Sachs PC 51 chain, CaneCreek Thudbuster suspension post and Selle Triamatic Flite Saddle | | Bottom Line: | As you can tell from my Stumpjumper lineage, I am and will probably always be a 'Steelanite'. Without going in to too much discussion over the already familiar differences between frame materials, it has long since been known that a steel ride is a nice ride! However there is always a price to pay for the finer things in life, eh? The weight of steel will always be our burden to carry, I mean ride.
After having recently upgraded my Stump, I noticed a closeout on this frame and knew this was a chance of a lifetime for me to own not just a bike, but a true piece of history (how cliche'). Once I received the frame I began swapping some parts over that I knew was within my expertise and became concerned that maybe some of the parts, i.e. BB, post, etc. would not fit. I found a contact number for Breezer and called one afternoon. The phone was answered by none other the MTB hall-of-famer Mr. Joe Breeze himself. Can you say 'drop the phone'? I could not believe it. Anywho we ended up talking about all sorts of things from the construction of the bike to some recent and past biking adventures. I must say he did not seem to happy when he asked how much I bought the frame for! Well, now it was off to the bike shop for the rest of the metamorphous of parts off thew Ole'Stump to the new Lightning. Everyone enjoyed the look of the frame and was anxious to see the finish product. Once completed I was ready for a test-ride which due to the efforts of long-time mechanic Sean, was flawless, but before leaving I just had to check one more thing....what was my Tax? My penalty for such beauty....the weight. We knew it was going to be better than about 24.5 lbs. of my Stump, but I was floored when it read 22.5 lbs.!!! In the words of the late, God rest his soul, Chris Farley....Holy Schnike!! No one could believe it. This thing is light! And there is still some dieting that could be done, but for me it is perfect. I cannot ask for anything better. To me it is the perfect bike granting a balenace of soul, history, beauty, finesse and featherweight manners without the sacrifice. Yes finally it can be said...THIS steel IS real. Have not taken it on the trail as of yet but will hit it tommorow. Will have to re-post later, but can't imagine anything less than stellar. Five flaming Salsa's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris flood
a Cross Country Rider
from victoria BC Canada
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount Tuam, Saltspring | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Ride quality, handling, durability, looks, versatility (used for everything from x-c racing, time-trialling with slicks, epic road/mtb day trips from Victoria to Saltspring & back. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found one yet | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Blizzard | | Bike Setup: | Stock tange fork, straight ti bar, steel ritchey stem, xt dereilleurs w/x-rays, XTR 36 hole wheels w/mavic 231 rims
Time pedals. Stock cantis w/Matthauser pads. Conti tyres. | | Bottom Line: | My first mtb. Same position as my road bike ('cept the bars are a whole 1" higher!) I've used this bike for everything I could think of in all weathers. Tips for preserving the gorgeous frame- Boeshield/framesaver the thing at least twice a year in the Pacific NW. Protect the paint with clear vinyl (available from sign supply shops) in vulnerable areas. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Cross-Country Rider
from East Coast
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Blueberry Mountain, Granby, CT | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Steel (the ride)
Steel (the strength)
Steel (the soul)
Pimpin' paint job and head tube badge
Sexy dropouts | | Weaknesses: |
paint chips | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized works Cromo
Bontrager Race Lite
Fat Chance Wicked Fat | | Bike Setup: |
Old XT and Grip Shift 9.0
Judy SL with Englund Kit
Sun RPM wheels | | Bottom Line: | Keep your beer can and aerospace frames. This steel steed is the bomb! It climbs like a cat with its tail on fire and handles technical stuff with the grace of a bolshoi veteran.
You might argue that a collection of welded steel tubes can't have a soul, but I'd disagree. My baby's got soul and the moves to prove it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
al
a Cross-Country Rider
from zapopan
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
details
paint job
light
no fat tubes
ride quality | | Weaknesses: |
no cable stop for rear v-brake | | Bike Setup: |
xtr,bontrager comp threadless fork, chris king hs, race face cranks,hyperlite,syncros s post, bontrager ti saddle, xt v front brake, diacompe 987 rear brake, 747 | | Bottom Line: | i love this bike. the minute i bought it i became a better rider. it is very hard to crash on this ride. the handling is superb. and it is oh so light, for steel. you cant go wrong with this bike. buy it | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cuan
a Racer
from Utah
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Deer Valley | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
The bike is like butter. Excellent welds and braze job. Light for steel with the ride of steel. The drop outs are to die for. | | Weaknesses: |
The paint job is very cool, but it chips easy. | | Similar Products Used: |
The only similar product would be the Ibis Mojo. For the money, the Breezer is a much better value. | | Bike Setup: |
Full XTR, Rock Shox SID, Klein Statum handlebars, Ti Flite Saddle, Cross Max and all for only 21 lbs 4 oz. Lighter than any production bike in our shop. | | Bottom Line: | Super ride, 5 pounds ligher than my previous bike. I love this bike!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross-Country Rider
from kansas city
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Divised Arrow trail new mexico | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
light for steel, comfortable. | | Weaknesses: |
It is a little flexy when sprinting hard, but nothing bad. (21 inch frame) | | Similar Products Used: |
Univega AL full xtr | | Bike Setup: |
full xtr with superfly | | Bottom Line: | Awsome on single track. Great climbing. This is not a bike you can bomb down fire roads on at mach ten. It is best suited for technical XC riding. The frame feels very lively, it just beggs to be hammered. It is super comfortable on long rides, and I will say it again, it is an AWSOME climber. The paint job is cool, and the rear dropouts make me drool!!!! Buy a steel Breezer and you CANT go wrong!!!!
Hemp | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Batman
a Cross-Country Rider
from Gothum City
Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
North Shores | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
That's just it. Its strenght.
also as light as a feather
Handles like a dream in the technical
tough as hell truely forgiving
sexy paintjob | | Weaknesses: |
Nope Sorry | | Similar Products Used: |
first frame i bought but i've owned a long string of aluminiun and cromoly and titanium bikes | | Bike Setup: |
Lots of Raceface
white bros sc92ul
front magura disk reararch surpreme
esp 9.0sl and xtr
cane creek crono wheels | | Bottom Line: | buy this
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
